Prep The Area For Staining
Now that the concrete is clean, make sure your shoes are, too, before you walk on the patio again. The surrounding ground will be wet from concrete cleaning. We changed into a pair of clean, dry shoes to work on the patio. Before cracking open the stain, shield the lower portion of the house and any nearby landscaping materials to protect against drifting spray. Tape plastic film along the siding. You donât have to protect plants and grass if you donât want to . If any dirt gets on the patio after youâve cleaned it, brush the concrete lightly with a broom to avoid pushing the dirt into the surface.
Concrete Patio Resurfacing In 3 Steps
- Written by Justin Daddio on Oct 06, 2009To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience.Reviewed by
If weathering has made your patio unattractive, you dont have to rip it up and install new materials to get a brand new look. By resurfacing your concrete patio, you can achieve a brand new look in just a fraction of the time.
Keep in mind that the ideal temperatures for pouring concrete are between 50° and 60° Fahrenheit on overcast days. Extreme heat or cold will affect the curing rate of the concrete. Resurfacing a concrete patio doesnt require a lot of tools or materials and can be completed by following the steps below:
Mix the Materials
One of the most important parts of resurfacing your concrete patio is to make sure you use the proper stone size in your mix this depends on the thickness of the concrete overlay you plan to install. For overlays that are less than ¼ inch, a mixture of Portland cement and fine sand will do. For thicker pours of ¼ inch to ¾ inch use a coarse sand mixture. For pours that are thicker than ¾ inch use pea gravel. Mix the Portland cement and sand in a wheelbarrow. The proper ratio is two parts sand to one part cement. To avoid a soupy concrete mix, add the water gradually until you achieve the right mix. The concrete should resemble pancake batter when mixed properly.
Pour the Concrete
How Do I Clean Everything Up After Making My Concrete Repairs
Resin based materials are usually hard to clean and the solvents used to clean them are pretty harsh on the hands. Rizistal however have delivered a solution which you will be able to see in all of the product reviews mentioned above. It is called Safer Solvent, and it is called that because it is!
Dip a rag into the safer solvent and clean your tools easly. The safer solvent can also be used to wipe your trowels down as you smooth over the repair mortars we have mentioned above. As they are all resin based, they tend to stick to the trowels which makes it hard to get the surface smooth.
Use safer solvent to clean tools down after working with epoxy repair mortars
We hope this project has helped you solve a problem that is experienced by thousands of home improvers every year.
Concrete is perishable, it will deteriorate very quickly when it is allowed to crack and the only method of repairing it properly is with epoxy repair mortars. We only recommend Rizistal mortars and concretes because we have worked with them for a couple of years but there are many others out there so please do go and have a look round.
All project content written and produced by Mike Edwards, founder of DIY Doctor and industry expert in building technology.
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How To Fix Cracked Concrete Patio
When you go out to sit in your backyard, the last thing you want to see is a cracked patio. Cracked patios are an eyesore and most people have no idea what to do to fix it.
Well go through why your patio gets cracks and what you can do to repair it so you can start enjoying your backyard again.
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Get Safe Smooth Concrete Surfaces For Your Home
Uneven, cracked concrete is unsightly and unsafebut theres no need to put up with that problem. Our friendly, professional team will help you get your driveway, walkways, steps and patio flooring back in tip-top shape. Youll love how our High Density Polyurethane Lifting Foam makes your concrete look and perform beautifully.
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Cons Of Pouring New Concrete Over An Old One
Maintenance
Laying new over old concrete is likely to eliminate the low maintenance of concrete. For instance, itll introduce frost heaves into the equation. Frost heaves result from the combination of the defrosting soil below and freezing temperature.
Short Lifespan
Concrete has been reputable for lasting many years. In fact, in some instances, youll never experience challenges with the concrete. However, pouring new over old concrete can introduce challenges that could limit the lifespan of the concrete.
Raising the Level
You should understand the surroundings well before you pour new concrete over an existing one. For instance, you should be aware of the staircases and doors.
You might raise the level in the door scenario, preventing the door from closing or opening easily.
Bonding
First, new concrete wont bond naturally to existing concrete. You will therefore need a bonding agent to hold the two together.
You should also separate the two layers using sand, plastic, or stones for longevity and flexibility.
How To Inspect & Evaluate Cracks At Control Joints In Concrete
We discuss the recognition and significance of control joints in poured concrete slabs in detail at CONTROL JOINT CRACKS in CONCRETE. Just below you can read a summary of this topic.
The first photograph shows an expansion joint in a basement floor slab. Notice that we donot see other cracks in this slab.Shrinkage cracks that occur at control joints such as shown in the second, close up photo here, are occurring where they are supposed-to,although the width of this particular crack was surprisingly large. These cracks are not normally a defect in the slab but may bea source of water or radon entry into the building and may need to be sealed. Use a flexible sealant.
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Of : Adding The Top Layer
Repairing Common Slab Surface Defects
Concrete contractors are often asked to address non-structural blemishes that can occur soon after a concrete slab is placed. Blemishes, such as popouts, plastic shrinkage cracks, and drying shrinkage cracks, can happen even when the flatwork contractor follows the best finishing practices.
Traditionally, most owners did not attempt any sort of repair on these nonstructural blemishes as the slab was often covered with resilient flooring or carpet. But with the increased interest in exposed concrete floors, many owners are asking contractors to turn blemishes into wearable surfaces. By employing simple repair techniques combined with the right repair material, contractors can often return surfaces to an acceptable appearance.
Contractors should be proactive when blemishes occur. Armed with an engineered approach, contractors can flip an owners concern into a positive customer service experience.
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Cons Of Pouring New Concrete Over Old Concrete
Maintenance
Laying new over old concrete is likely to eliminate the low maintenance that concrete is known for. For instance, itll introduce frost heaves into the equation. Frost heaves result from the combination of the defrosting soil below and freezing temperature.
Short Lifespan
Concrete has been reputable for lasting many years. In fact, in some instances, youll never experience challenges with the concrete. However, pouring new over old concrete can introduce challenges that could limit the lifespan of the concrete.
Raising the Level
You should understand the surroundings well before you pour new concrete over an existing one. For instance, you should be aware of the staircases and doors.
You might raise the level in the door scenario, preventing the door from closing or opening easily.
Bonding
First, new concrete wont bond naturally to existing concrete. You will therefore need a bonding agent to hold the two together.
You should also separate the two layers using sand, plastic, or stones for longevity and flexibility.
Add The Solid Crack Filler
Assess the depth of the crack. If the crack is deeper than 1/4-inch, fill in the necessary sections to bring it up to a 1/4-inch depth. It is not desirable to use the liquid crack filler for deep areas as this extends curing time, can result in sinking filler, and adds to the overall cost of the project.
One way to add solid filler is to dispense clean sand by hand through a funnel. One hand holds the funnel, while the other hand holds a small amount of sand and slowly drops it into the funnel. This method has the advantage of being very inexpensive and allowing you to vary the height of the crack filler as you go.
Another option is to force a closed-cell backer rod into the crack. Three-quarter-inch backer rod is designed to fit into 1/2-inch cracks. Force the backer rod into the crack as much as you can with your fingers. Cut off the backer rod when you reach higher areas that do not need filler. If you reach sections where it is difficult to press the rod with your fingers, use a blunt tool such as a paint stirring stick, since sharper tools like screwdrivers may pierce the rod. Make sure that the backer rod is firmly in place before proceeding to the next step.
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Best Concrete Crack Filler Kit: Applied Technologies Concrete Crack Repair Kit
If you are after the best concrete crack filler kit, then this complete solution by Applied Technologies is ideal. This kit includes everything you need to fix your damaged concrete, making repairs easier and more efficient. The kit includes a fast curing surface sealer, injection polyurethane foam, safety goggles, gloves, and every tool required for using the filler. There is even a step-by-step instructional DVD to help make the process easier.
Besides being incredibly user-friendly, this kit also offers serious results. The poxy paste bonds incredibly tightly with the concrete to make the polyurethane injection much more effective. The sealer and injection polyurethane foam is super fast sealing to make the job easier. Once cured, the formula effectively stops water from leaking through. The kit also comes with two cartridges of poxy paste which makes this product stretch further than most others.
This kit can be used to cover and seal hairline cracks and wider areas of concrete damage. It is an incredibly forgiving concrete caulk kit that any person, regardless of their skill level, should be able to apply. The main bonus is that every single aspect of the kit that you need is included saving you plenty of shopping. Of course, the results are also excellent. The polyurethane wont shrink and is very fast setting.
- The caulking gun is pretty basic
Veneering And Extensive Veneering
Veneering is the process of creating a new top layer of concrete to fill in any gaps or dips on the surface of the old patio. To get the new layer to adhere, you should rough up the surface where the repair is needed using a hammer and chisel.
Another way to ensure the top layer sticks is to drill a series of holes in the concrete with a masonry drill. Once you have prepared the surface, add your thin mix of mortar and carefully smooth it so it matches the level of the old patio, and leave it to cure for 30 minutes.
The last task is to take a brush to the surface after 30 minutes to finish it off. Extensive veneering is the same process just performed over the entire patio.
You will need to remove loose concrete and dust and then build a box frame around the edge of the patio about 2 or 3 inches above the current surface level. Next, you should add a layer of sand to any depressions and cracks and pat it down.
Pour the concrete mix and allow it to cure for the recommended time, using a trowel or brush to finish off the surface.
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Shrinkage Cracking On Stamped Concrete
Water highlights the shrinkage cracks on this colored concrete surface.
- Question:
-
I have a recently poured stamped concrete pool deck that shows hairline cracks all over the surface when it becomes wet. When the surface dries, though, it has a nice finish. The contractor sealed the surface a couple of days after concrete placement with a solvent-based product. Is this a sign of a poorly sealed surface? Since it’s a pool deck, is premature failing a concern if it gets wet too often? Will applying an extra coat of sealer correct the problem?
- Answer:
-
This issue has nothing to do with sealer. Those cracks you see are shrinkage cracks. They are caused when the surface of the concrete shrinks rapidly during the initial curing phase. When the concrete surface dries, or cures, too rapidly, the surface contracts and you end up with these small hairline cracks. Typically, shrinkage cracking is only an aesthetic issue and does not affect the structural integrity of the concrete. As you noted, you don’t see the cracks unless the surface is wet.
Do not apply additional sealer. The sealer you have down now appears to be doing its job, so I suggest you reseal only when the original sealer has worn off. Overapplication of sealer will only lead to other issues, and will do nothing to eliminate the cracks.
Update Your Concrete Patio With Rust
If youve been following along for a while, then you might remember that weve been working on projects to fix up the exterior of our house since the spring.
I shared the whole before of our exterior as well as our plans to improve it early in the season. So far we have worked on the deck the pea gravel fire pit, the siding , the exterior trim, and the front yard lawn, river rock garden, split rail fence, and side shade garden.
One of the last things we managed to squeeze in this year before the weather arrived was the makeover of our lower patio. The before of this patio area from when I shared all my plans for the exterior of our house and the yard shows how it looked mid-way into the deck reconstruction process
We started with a very tired, very damaged, very ugly, old patio area beneath our upper deck.
At some point it had been painted with concrete paint , and it had NOT held up well. It actually made me cringe inside every time I looked at it.
We started out by giving it a serious power washing. We got up as much of the old concrete paint as we possibly could in order to leave a clean, fresh surface for our new treatment. The prep steps may seem like the boring part but they are super important, so dont skip them!
We bought this Subaru Power Washer in the spring and LOVE it
After power washing and getting every last bit of the old paint off that we possibly could, we filled the cracks with a special RustOLeum epoxy filler
Next: The Primer!
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How To Fix Cracks In Concrete
The band-aid fix for repairing cracks in concrete is the simple mixing of a polymer-modified cement product in a bucket with water, then wiping the mud over the cracks with a trowel. Doing so is neither a structurally sound solution nor a long-term fix, but it will suffice if the cracks are merely symptoms of the maturation process of concrete small cracks that occur as concrete dries when the mix is over-hydrated. But, a quick fix is not adequate if the cracks are the product of pressure or torque from an outside agent like a tree root or ground swell.
Traditionally, fixing cracks in concrete properly required the removal of the crack all together, a job that entails removing the concrete around the cracks and re-pouring the section. However, in instances where the concrete supports substantial weight or is supported by rebar, removing concrete can weaken the structural integrity of the concrete and lead to further damage.
Fortunately, todays epoxies are so advanced that, once cured, epoxy often has greater tensile strength than concrete. That means taking a chance of affecting the structural integrity of a wall or flat work is minimized to a great extent through the use of industrial epoxy. However, using epoxy while it can slow or prevent the growth of cracks does not produce the same cosmetic consistency as removing the cracks completely and beginning anew on a cracked portion of concrete.
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